Riddles in the Downs

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Are you called 'Minas Morgul', then?

With Minas Tirith as 'sister', and Osgiliath as 'father'?

Once I was young, filled with hope and joy--
Now my face is grim, and all I touch turns to ill.
Once I was filled with moonglow; now I am infused with fell sorcery.

Once my mother was proud and noble--
Now she is fallen, her grace forgotten.
Once Osgiliath stood proud astride Anduin; now she lies ruined.

Once I was the child of a great ruler of men--
Now my father sits in the north, bound and bitter.
Once I was offspring of Numenor; now I am ruled by Barad-dur.

Once I had a sister, bright and fair--
Now my sister's name is altered, and woe lies between us.
Once Minas Anor was my sister; now she is Minas Tirith, and we are foes.

Once my name was fair, but to change my fate I reject it--
Now - since I was never Turin - what am I called?
Once I was Minas Ithil of the moon; now MINAS MORGUL is my name.

Very good! I enjoyed making the tragedy of the (Other) Two Towers sound so much like that of the Children of Hurin. I'm still not sure whether I should have left it open for you to just guess Turin at the start, but it worked. Over to you, and well done everyone!

hS